How the COVID-19 Pandemic Slashed Foreign Tourists Visiting Germany by Air
Travelers opt for Germany as a destination for their vacations in limited numbers
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The coronavirus pandemic swiped tens of thousands of tourist wings, sending an alarming plunge in foreign travelers flying to Germany. A recent survey by the German Airports Association (ADV), polling over 125,000 participants, revealed that the percentage of foreign visitors jetting into Germany halved—from 32% in 2017 to just 21% last year.
Blaming hefty taxes and state fees for insufficient flight options, the industry implores the German government to scrap air traffic tax, mimicking Sweden's example. Ralph Beisel, ADV's CEO, exclaims, "Germany, once an appealing vacation spot, has been on a slide since the pandemic. The new administration must weigh the aviation industry in its plans to boost Germany's lure as a travel destination."
The survey spotlights a stark decline in business jet-setters, tumbling to merely one-fifth. On the bright side, private travel is thriving—a boost from visiting loved ones and city jaunts, and events. Approximately half polarize for the car ride to the airport.
Unsurprisingly, the slowdown infects the biggest German airport. Fraport AG, Frankfurt Airport's operator, reported a dismal 26.4M Euro loss in the first quarter of 2021. Contrast that with a robust 12.7M Euro profit in Q1 2020, and it's clear who caught the virus in this scenario. Despite the somber turnout, Frankfurt Airport logged 12.4M passengers during the same period, only slightly lower than the previous year.
Sources: ntv.de, DPA
The pandemic pushed the pause button on international travel worldwide, including Germany, even though detailed data on foreign flight passengers during the pandemic is hard to find in our current search results. However, financial institutions point to the pandemic as the main culprit behind the global decline in air travel.
When it comes to the German Airports Association (ADV) hounding air traffic taxes, the search results weren't forthcoming with specifics. Typically, associations like ADV tend to lobby for policies that invigorate air travel. This could mean advocating for lower taxes or fees to trigger more flights and passengers.
As the international tourism sector recovers gradually, organizations like the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) anticipate not only a resurgence in tourism but also a rally for MICE events. Similarly, revitalization in tourism is evident in other regions, but local trends in Germany will depend on regional conditions and policies.
- The German Airports Association (ADV), in their efforts to bolster Germany as a travel destination, might advocate for policies that lessen taxes or fees to stimulate more flights and passengers, aligning with a lifestyle that prioritizes travel.
- Despite the healthcare crisis brought about by the pandemic, organizations such as the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) foresee a resurgence in MICE events, a boost in lifestyle travel, and potentially a lifestyle shift toward private travel, particularly road trips, as people visit loved ones and explore cities.
